You are sitting in an airplane next to someone from the country you’re about to visit, and one of you breaks the awkward silence as you receive the lunch plate. Or: A new colleague arrived at the office with a thick accent, and you want to learn about her home country, but don’t know where to start… I got you covered! The below questions can be great conversation starters.
Some people will try to give you the best impression about their country regardless of the underlying reality. But others will give you a more complete picture, including the less glamorous bits.
People love sharing about their own culture. They don’t get asked these questions often, and reflecting on them is an enjoyable challenge.
1. What’s something that most people get wrong about your country ?
Two birds in one stone: You’ll learn about the myths and how to bust them. You’ll be surprised by the number of misconceptions people want to get off their chest.
2. How are people different from those in country X ?
Ideally, mention a country that both of you are very familiar with. It’s most interesting and less obvious to compare cultures that share the same religion.
3. What books are you asked to read at school ?
Every country has its own cultural heroes. If you don’t have the time to read their compulsory books, the Wikipedia intro about the authors is a goldmine about the countries’ cultural leitmotifs. Besides, the school system is a common denominator to the formative years of a population. Ask about strange rules at school and you might get surprising answers.
4. What’s something about your country that you are really proud of ?
If your colleague takes a long time to answer this one you’ll understand why he left. Though all countries have something to boast. You’ll hear anything ranging from human virtues to alcoholic drinks.
5. In what way does religion impact people’s daily lives ?
This question might be better asked around a campfire rather than on a 5-minute coffee break. The influence of religion might have tapered off in the last few generations, but it remains a linchpin for many societies.
6. What’s a good local movie that shows typical family life?
For that question, I prefer drama or comedy over action movie. Dramas are especially good at surfacing deeper pains that locals identify and resonate with.
7. What’s a local custom your grandparents follow (or used to follow) ?
Customs can be remarkable, and it gives you a glimpse back in time. I really enjoyed hearing about Iranians join forces to prepare a dish for 200 people at the yearly communal village dinner.
8. If you could invite anyone who has every lived for dinner, who would it be ?
I’ll end on a more personal one. This will reveal if they are more inspired by foreign or local figures. When I asked this question in China, many people mentioned ancient Emperors or Generals from past Dynasties, such as Qin Shi Huang. If you like to read more personal questions, here’s a link of 36 questions that might lead to love.
Conclusion
These 8 questions are rather deliberate and unusual. But you will learn about cultures in a way you can’t do online. Genuine curiosity goes a long way for earning a friendship. What are some of your favorite questions you like to ask foreigners? Share them with us in the comments below!